Professor Richard Susskind

The Commonwealth of Nations is an international association of 56 member states, the vast majority of which are former territories of the British Empire.

Professor Susskind, who obtained his LLB from Glasgow University, is the world’s most cited author on the future of legal services. He has been working on artificial intelligence and the law since the 1980s when he undertook pioneering work in the field.

In his new role, he will be responsible for supporting the 56 Commonwealth countries in achieving sustainable development goal (SDG) 16: ensuring equal access to justice for all by 2030, using artificial intelligence.

Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland KC, said: “We know that the progress towards SDG 16 is not on track. Artificial intelligence, when harnessed properly, can be a powerful tool to get us back on track.

“Professor Susskind’s record of engagement in justice and artificial intelligence makes him eminently suited to drive the Commonwealth’s Equal Access to Justice Declaration in line with SDG 16.

“Armed with his talent, we will be able to offer far more comprehensive support to our countries as they accelerate justice transformation, which is urgently needed to bring justice within reach for all.”

Professor Susskind said: “I am immensely honoured to be appointed Special Envoy for Justice and AI and so to help the 56 Commonwealth countries to ensure equal access to justice for all by 2030.

“This comes at an ideal time – remarkable recent developments in AI will transform the way that people can understand and enforce their legal rights.”